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What You Can Do

How is climate change affecting Florida?

Florida’s already feeling the burn. Here’s what you can do.

As Climate Reality heads to Miami for our next Climate Leadership Corps training, you may be wondering, “Why Florida? Is it possibly because the Climate Reality staff really just want to visit the beach and enjoy the Miami surf and sunshine?” Well … okay, yes we do, but there are a few other reasons we’re flying south for the fall.

As you may have heard, Florida’s state environmental officials were reportedly recently ordered not to use the term “climate change” in any government communications, emails, or reports. And this in one of the US states in the most danger from climate change.

So. If they’re not allowed to say the words “climate change” in Florida, how do we possibly describe what’s going on there?

Let’s give it a try ...

SEA-LEVEL RISE

When it comes to rising seas due to … well, you know … Florida’s got good reason to be concerned.

For a few days each fall, the highest tides, called “king tides,” now flood streets in Miami Beach. Currently, there is a five year, $300 million project underway to install 60 pumps in the city just to pump out flooding. King tides this year are projected to rise to nearly four feet. To give you an idea: beach streets start to flood at around three feet.

It is projected that cumulative costs to the US economy of responding to sea level rise and flooding events could be as high as $325 billion by 2100 for four feet of sea level rise, with $130 billion expected to be incurred just in Florida.

And in the near future, hurricanes could be even stronger with higher winds and heavier rainfall, potentially resulting in more Category 4 and 5 storms. In addition, changes in overall precipitation patterns are expected to lead to more heavy and more sporadic rainfall events, intensifying drought-flood cycles and increasing the risk of extreme flooding during storms.

Increasing temperatures in the state carry a unique set of challenges and public health threats. These include an increase in dangerous air pollutants and algae blooms that suffocate fish, coupled with a decrease in crop productivity due to drought. Not to mention the rise in heat-related illnesses, for which the elderly, very young, and impoverished are most at risk.

HOPE

So. That’s what Florida stands to lose.

But there is a solution and a whole lot to gain.

Florida now requires newly constructed and renovated state buildings to meet green building requirements. This applies to school districts, state universities, municipalities, and other public infrastructure.

And, in 2009, Florida adopted California’s Clean Car Standard, which calls for a 30 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in new vehicles by 2016.

Though Florida isn’t currently even in the top ten solar-energy-producing states in the country, many are actively working to change the policies holding it back. Maybe you’ve heard Florida called the “Sunshine State”? Well, its ample sunshine means that Florida could be the third-largest solar-generating state in the US. A 2014 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that ramping up utility energy efficiency programs alone could create 10,000 new jobs in Florida’s energy efficiency sector and save Florida households and businesses around $48 million in 2020.

Become a Climate Reality Leader

Join us for an upcoming Climate Reality Leadership Corps training and work with former US Vice President Al Gore and renowned climate scientists and communicators to learn about what’s happening to our planet and how you can use social media, powerful storytelling, and personal outreach to inspire audiences to take action. Give us three days. We’ll give you the tools to change the world. Learn more.